The Escape Pod 1P Bivy is a two-thirds length bivy with drawstring closure providing bug protection which incorporates NEMO’s AST airbeam, an inflatable rib. Constructed primarily of noseeum netting, it weighs 7 ounces and is 24 inches tall which allows it to be packed into roughly the size of a Florida grapefruit.
Offering 200 lumens max output, the new Princeton Tec Axis allows you to dial the output up and down via the side knob. In addition to the White spot and flood LEDs, the Axis also features two Red Ultrabright LEDs. The internal battery offers up to 117 hours of burn time and the light is prodded to IPX4 specs.
Recharging the light through the mini USB port. There will also be a AAA model.
USSOCOM has released an RFI for candidate technologies for the upcoming Technical Experimentation Night Vision/Electro Optics and Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) Military Utility Assessment (MUA) which will take place 14-18 November at Camp Blanding, Florida.
In particular, they are interested in technology readiness levels 3-6 and the intent of this event is to highlight technologies that support night vision/electro optics systems and advanced sniper rifle systems.
Technology areas to explore during the event include the following:
1. True Color Night Vision. Presentation of visible spectrum light (approximately
400nm to 750nm – flexible) that aids in target discrimination, mobility, combat identification, identify friend or foe, or situational awareness via a natural appearing manner. The need is from clear sky no moon (approximately 0.001 lux) to daylight conditions. Day only solutions will not be considered. A capability that allows true color at higher illumination and switch or transition to black and white at the lowest illumination (.001 lux) is of interest. Factors of consideration include resolution, sensitivity, latency, size, weight, power, dynamic range, and bits of color at low light. Both analog and digital solutions are of interest.
1.1. True Color Night Vision for man portable applications. This includes night vision goggles, rifle scopes, and binoculars. Retrofits to existing kit are considered as well as original full up solutions. For man portable applications; size, weight, and power have a priority. For head borne applications latency is of particular concern – though not so much a concern for rifle scopes or binoculars.
1.2. True Color Night Vision solutions for ground mobility visual augmentation systems that are compatible with integration into electro-optic / infrared turrets. The technology should also be applicable to fixed wing / rotary wing / maritime applications which would also use the electro-optic / infrared turret. For the platform based solutions size, weight, and power needs are not as stringent though integration is inherently important.
2. Undetectable day/night aiming for either assaulters, snipers: beyond iron sight or etched reticle.
2.1. Passive aiming methods that provide a cursor for point of aim / point of impact of the assaulter rifle shots (typically 5.56mm or 7.62mm) is sought. The cursor should ideally be viewable by other team members. Ranges include close quarters combat up to 500 meters.
2.2. Ability to actively call in and direct close air support through visual cue, illuminate, mark, and/or aim for assaulters, snipers, or JTACS without detection by opposing force.
3. Group I, II, III, Unmanned Aerial System Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR)
3.1. Team based situational awareness. Technologies that can provide small teams or maneuver elements with real-time Visible National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (VNIIRS) 9 or better streaming video, Ground Moving Target Indicator and Radio Frequency (RF) environment characterization capabilities. The technology should be audibly and visually undetectable to the greatest extent possible.
3.2. Force protection for any maneuver element. Technologies that can automatically follow (digital tether) a maneuver element. The solution should provide real-time streaming video to multiple concurrent users. Solution should provide VNIIRS 9 or better video quality in real time. The ability to detect and display Identify Friend or Foe markers would be beneficial.
3.3. Overhead persistent surveillance. Technologies that can be programmed to orbit or perch and stare at an area or object of interest. Technology should be visually and acoustically undetectable by persons or systems resident at an observed area or object of interest, while providing users VNIIRS 9 or better video quality in real time.
4. Tactical Surveillance Equipment (TSE).
4.1 TSE internet protocol (IP) compatible prototypes that can demonstrate or
explore session announcement protocol for broadcasting multicast session information. 4.4.2. TSE prototypes or software that can execute compression of imagery and
video with loss that does not result in undue noise or artifacts. This is for low-bandwidth applications, e.g. situations where frame rate times resolution times bit depth bit depth is 2 megabytes or less. Ultimately a lossless imagery appearance while with loss compression is utilized.
4.3. Technology advancements in detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) for TSE that significantly exceeds current state of the art.
4.4. Modular turbulence mitigation software/hardware for TSE that can either be used to retrofit existing equipment or be a new solution.
4.5. Software application or an “app” that can calculate necessary information for performing TSE tasks such as facial recognition, DRI, personal identification, ground sample distance, ground resolution distance, pixels between eyes of a person.
5. Cursor on Target (CoT) Integrated Heads Up Display (HUD). Systems producing CoT data are becoming more widely employed to provide battlespace situational awareness (SA) data. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers view this SA data to aid in accomplishing their mission. CoT integrated HUD systems which display friendly and enemy positions as well as aircraft positions, call signs, and altitudes as icons on the HUD are sought.
Submissions should consider a CoT HUD that:
– Integrates into current eye protection equipment or Ballistic Clear Glasses with Fusion/Panoramic night vision goggles (NVG).
– Integrates with current PLI data sources (i.e. Android and/or CoT Radios).
– Incorporates an intuitive user friendly interface.
– Displays compass direction, distance, and current grid.
– Rapidly enables/disables HUD overlay in case of close quarters combat situations.
– Can be powered off of other equipment with minimal cabling.
– Has wired information assurance or is wireless with information assurance.
6. Target Engagement
6.1. Positive identification of a person of interest (POI) as subject / not subject
at and beyond maximum effective range of sniper rifle calibers such as .338 Lapua Magnum, or .50. Size, weight, power, probability of false alarm and probability of false rejection are of specific concern.
6.2. Multispectral optics and fusion of various bands in an intuitive and value added manner. Information overload is a concern while information loss can be a concern – a balance is sought. Fusion of all optics bands is ideal, fusion of both reflective and emissive bands is a minimum. Algorithm are sought that would allow for operation on both man portable systems as well as UAS or manned platforms.
7. Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) Military Utility Assessment (MUA). This MUA will serve as a market survey for crafting requirements of the future ASR program. Technologies of interest include.
7.1. Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) bolt action rifle with switch caliber capability (3 calibers). Able to fire 7.62mm NATO, .300, and .338 caliber ammunition.
7.2. Candidate weapons systems must include suppressor technology that can be used for all 3 calibers, whether integrated or detachable.
For full details on how to nominate a texhnology, visit https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=7580f2c57048e540f9f4ea42fadec8f1&tab=core&_cview=0
(Melbourne, FL) August 8, 2016 – ARES Defense Systems, the country’s leading manufacturer of innovative, mission-configurable firearms, parts and accessories announces a company name transition to FightLite® Industries.
Originally founded in 1997 as “ARES Defense Systems” by company CEO and avid shooting enthusiast Geoffrey A. Herring; the company is changing its name to FightLite® Industries to be more reflective of both its current and upcoming product offerings and to honor its R&D division that conceives and develops the company’s ideas and inventions.
“Since launching our company almost two decades ago, we’ve introduced and delivered many game-changing products to both civilian and military shooters alike” said Geoffrey Herring, President-CEO. “We’ve set new standards along the way with high-performance products such as our patented MCR® belt-feed system for the M4, our patented drop-in GXR™ gas piston kit and our universal and patented ARES SCR® rifle to name a few. We have some new groundbreaking product announcements coming up and we’re really excited about what we’re getting ready to bring to market in both the civilian and military marketspaces.”
The company’s currently produced product lines will transition to the FightLite® brand by the close of 2016 and FightLite® Industries will be providing spare parts, service and manufacturer support of products that have been produced under the ARES Defense™ brand. ARES™, ARES Defense™ and related logos and product names will remain part of the company’s intellectual property portfolio.
FightLite® Industries supports 2-step Distribution and as with the ARES Defense brands, their products will continue to be made available through established channels of sporting goods wholesalers, box stores, FFL dealers, online retailers and factory direct.
To learn more about FightLite® Industries visit www.FightLite.com. Follow FightLite® Industries on Facebook at facebook.com/FightLite , on Twitter @FightLite and on Instagram @FightLite_com.
The Escape Pro bivvy features Sympatex Reflexion performance fabric that reflects over 90 percent of your body heat, is windproof and waterproof, and provides a dry sleep with a 2.5 ply Sympatex laminate that is highly breathable. Expect it to take you down to about 40 deg F on its own. The Escape Pro bivvy includes a 24” (61cm) zipper side opening, a drawstring closure hood to cinch up on colder nights and taped seams to keep moisture out. It measures 31”x 84” (231cm x 78cm) and weighs 8.5 ounces (240g). It will be available to ship February 2017.
Mystery Ranch has a whole slew of new commercial packs for Spring 2017, and I like quite a few of them, but if I had to pick just one, it’s the Coulee 40 which is a 40 liter bag based on the tried-and-true Tri-Zip design. However, you may notice that they’ve added stretch panels to the outside to accept items you want to access quickly, or let dry while you walk.
My second favorite is the Scapegoat 25 panel loader. Like many of MR’s commercial line, it is offered in a couple of colors which are great for the tactical user.
The Hip Monkey is a waist pack design.
The Invader is an attaché-style bag.
Kletterwerks has a few cool items in there was well.
Platatac is offering 20% off storewide for 5 days starting Wednesday 10th 0900 AEST!
Between August 10 – 14 use the discount code PLAT20 and you’ll receive 20% off your entire order.
Strictly while stock lasts, no rain checks. Discount does not include shipping.
Only at www.platatac.com or Platatac’s Melbourne retail store.
I first saw the Sniper Data Board from Prater Precision at this year’s USASOC Sniper Competition. It’s one of those pieces of gear that you see and immediately understand how it’s used.
Designed by a Special Operations Sniper, the Sniper Data Board was created out of necessity and its creator related this story to me.
In 2014, I had a moment of “creative necessity”. My Team Sgt was pinned down and I moved into a better position to provide sniper support. After running through half of my ammo, I found another target but I couldn’t remember my hold, I broke my position down and checked my “DOPE” on my sleeve and in that three second window, the Taliban fighter had vanished. I knew right then I needed something that could hold my data card or Kestrel on my gun so I would never lose that three seconds again.
Since that firefight, he’s spent the last two years refining the design of the product to the point where he felt comfortable presenting it to his fellow snipers. He’s also filed for a patent on the design.
In the photo above, you can see that the Data Board is designed to attach to a Mil-Std 1913 top rail and is adjustable by the sniper to ensure it is in the field of view. This design also mitigates some of the shock associated with recoil. The Data Board will also accept a Kestrel.
The metal components are manufactured from 6061 Aluminum and Mil-Spec Type III anodized. Offered with Coyote or MultiCam pouch from praterprecision.com/the-sniper-data-board.
